Day: April 28, 2024

Maronite Patriarch, Cardinal Bechara Boutros Al-Rahi, presided this morning over Sunday’s Mass service in the Church of Our Lady in Bkirki.

In his religious sermon, Al-Rahi urged Lebanese officials to restore life to institutions, starting with the election of a President of the Republic.

Al-Rai wished to spare southern Lebanon and the Lebanese from the war, which would cause casualties, injuries, displacement and destruction, for the sake of a cause that has nothing to do with Lebanon, its cause, peace and stability.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

House Speaker Nabih Berri is currently meeting in Ain al-Teeneh with French Foreign Minister Stephane Ségournet and the accompanying delegation.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

French Foreign Minister Stéphane Séjourné said, during a press conference he held at the Pine Palace in conclusion of his visit to Lebanon, that “the crisis has gone on for a long time and we are avoiding a regional war in Lebanon…We call on all parties to exercise restraint, and we reject the worst scenario in Lebanon, which is war.”

Séjourné pointed out that “it is in no one’s interest for the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel to expand, and Resolution 1701 must be implemented in full.”

He added: “UNIFIL forces play a decisive role to avoid the worst scenario, and all parties must allow UNIFIL to carry out its full tasks.”

“France will continue to support the Lebanese army alongside our partners, and the return to stability requires its redeployment in the south,” Séjourné went on.

He stressed that “Lebanon needs reforms, and we will continue to work to get Lebanon out of its crisis.”

The French Foreign Minister announced that “without an elected president, Lebanon’s national team will not be inv
ited to the negotiating table.”

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Prime Minister Najib Mikati received French Foreign Minister Stephane Séjourne this afternoon at the Grand Serail.

The meeting was also attended by French Ambassador to Lebanon, Herve Magro, Director of North Africa and the Middle East at the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, Anne Grillo, and advisors to the Prime Minister, former Minister Nicolas Nahhas and Ambassador Butros Asaker.

Discussions focused on the efforts undertaken by France to restore calm to southern Lebanon, and to stop the Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip.

The Prime Minister was briefed by Minister Sejourne about the tour he is making in the region and the talks he will hold.

“Lebanon appreciates France for always standing by its side and supporting it at all levels,” Mikati emphasized, adding that “Lebanon also values the great effort of President Emmanuel Macron to protect Lebanon, its stability, and its economic recovery.’

He added: “The French initiative constitutes a practical framework for
implementing International Resolution No. 1701, which Lebanon adheres to implementing in full, while demanding Israel’s commitment to implementing it and stopping its destructive aggression against southern Lebanon, in addition to supporting the army to enable it to carry out its tasks and achieve lasting peace on the borders.”

PM Mikati also renewed his “call to France and the European countries to support Lebanon in order to reach a solution to the crisis of displaced Syrians,” referring to “the beginning of a new European approach through recognition of the challenge that this issue represents for Lebanon and willingness to work with the Lebanese authorities in this regard.”

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Prime Minister Najib Mikati received today the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain, Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani, who is currently on a one-day official visit to Lebanon, in the presence of Caretaker Foreign Affairs and Emigrants Minister, Abdallah Bou Habib.

Discussions focused on bilateral relations between Lebanon and Bahrain, the situation in the region, and the agenda of the upcoming Arab summit in Bahrain.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon